Watson suffers blow to the head
Opener David Warner and all-rounder Shane Watson both took part in training on Wednesday as injury scares eased for Australia ahead of the Boxing Day Test against India.
The pair returned to the fray during a Christmas Eve session at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Warner, batting for the first time since hurting his thumb in the second Test victory over India in Brisbane last week, was soon driving and hooking with little sign of discomfort.
Watson, who was dazed when struck on the helmet by a bouncer on Tuesday, took on a bowling machine in the indoor nets before moving outdoors.
The blow sparked concern Watson might have sustained serious injury, coming after Australian batsman Phillip Hughes was killed by a bouncer on November 25.
In a sure sign Warner was on the mend, he told reporters he would keep up the "banter" against the tourists, despite a spate of fines.
Indians Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli and Ishant Sharma have all been fined for their conduct in the four-Test series, as has Warner after a heated exchange in the first Test in Adelaide.
"If it requires a little bit of banter to get the other person talking, that's what is going to happen," said Warner.
Australia believe they have an edge over India in the sledging stakes after Indian attempts to rile Mitchell Johnson backfired with the quick taking four wickets and hitting 88 runs in a match-winning performance in Brisbane.
"I like to go at them, to try and get them to bite back at me when I go out there and bat. At the moment it's working," Warner added.
Meanwhile, Shaun Marsh was struck on his left hand by a rising delivery from Josh Hazlewood in training at the MCG Wednesday. The 31-year-old was assessed by team doctor Peter Brukner and left the nets but later returned.
India trail 2-0 in the series and must reverse a 23-year losing streak in Melbourne to stop Australia regaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Latest
-
News
On this day in 2018: Australian trio banned after ball-tampering saga
The trio were handed their punishments on March 28, 2018.
-
County Cricket
Surrey stars eager to help Alec Stewart sign off with more silverware
Stewart has guided Surrey to three County Championship wins during his decade in charge.
-
Women's Cricket
Maia Bouchier smashes 91 as England Women seal T20 series victory
England made 177 for three and then restricted New Zealand to 130 for seven.
-
County Cricket
Yorkshire boosted by Harry Brook and Joe Root’s early-season availability
Both players are not at the Indian Premier League.
-
England
Ollie Pope ‘itching’ to get back scoring runs after ‘frustrating’ tour of India
The England vice-captain hit a superb 196 in Hyderabad, but averaged only 14.75 in the next four Tests of the India series.
-
Women's Cricket
Ellyse Perry says Ashes Test at MCG ‘amazing’ but unsure about four-day return
Australia will host England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the Women’s Ashes early next year.
-
County Cricket
Harry Brook set to return for start of Yorkshire’s County Championship campaign
Brook withdrew from England’s Test tour of India in January due to personal reasons.
-
England
England spinner Tom Hartley expects his exploits in India to be ‘life changing’
Hartley’s second-innings haul of seven for 62 in Hyderabad delivered one England’s greatest ever overseas victories.
-
Women's Cricket
Heather Knight urges more composure from England after New Zealand collapse
The tourists needed just 29 from 29 balls with eight wickets in hand.
-
Australia
On this day in 2018: Australia ‘sandpapergate’ ball-tampering controversy erupts
The incident led to Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft being banned from playing for Australia.